Training modules are led by Jennie Brooks, who was trained by and apprenticed with Nora St. John, the creator of the Balanced Body University (BBU) Pilates Training Certification.
PROGRAM DETAILS Balanced Body provides Pilates education for every stage of your career. We are committed to supporting your personal and professional growth. Whether you want to become a gifted Mat instructor, an inspiring Reformer teacher, or a comprehensively trained Pilates professional, Balanced Body connects you to the widest array of educational offerings in the world.
Our program offers three levels of Pilates Instructor Education: Mat, Reformer, and Comprehensive. Each level is offered in affordable modules so you can take your first course now and continue your training next week, next month, or next year, whichever works best for you. Each module is designed to allow you to start teaching quickly and to continue learning as you progress.
PILATES INSTRUCTOR TRAINING TESTIMONIALS:
"I was really impressed with the subject matter expertise of the instructor and the helpful exercise suggestions to integrate within our clients." -- Katherine
"I am so thankful to have found Jennie and Longevity Fitness. Prior to my week retreat I didn't have a super strong Pilates background, I mainly focused on reformer and had zero mat experience. I learned an incredible wealth of knowledge that week! So much so that it inspired me to take my Pilates journey further and ended up being interested in all apparatuses. I feel that we have been so lucky to train under Jennie and her incredible Studio. Thank you for the start of a wonderful journey!" -- Kate
Class Fee: $499.00 Manual Fee: $50.00 Streaming Video Fee: $10.00
Reformer 3 is the pinnacle of the Reformer work and includes advanced and super advanced exercises to challenge clients to achieve their best. Progressive sequences designed to teach students advanced movement skills are included along with an introduction to the revolutionary Principle Based Programming System helping you to create successful classes for clients at any level.
Movement Principles: January 9 -10 SATURDAY 1/9 - 9:00am - 6:00pm SUNDAY 1/10 - 9:00am - 6:00pm
Class Fee: $425 Manual Fee: $50 Streaming Video Fee: $15
The Balanced Body Movement Principles form the foundation of Balanced Body Education. They include the most important information on anatomy, assessment, biomechanics and foundational exercises needed to become a successful Pilates teacher, personal trainer or movement educator. The course mixes information on how the body works with basic exercises to illustrate the information in movement. Broken down into five categories: Whole Body Movement, Trunk Integration, Lower Body Training, Upper Body Training and Mobility and Restoration, the Movement Principles provide a solid foundation for training in any environment, with any equipment. You will come away with a complete tool box for effectively training clients to recover from injuries, improve their general fitness and enhance their performance. The focus on practical understanding of common movement patterns prepares instructors to be excellent at problem solving, goal setting and learning new exercise techniques with ease.
Class Fee: $425 Manual Fee: $50 Streaming Video Fee: $10
Balanced Body Mat 1 includes an introduction to the history and principles of Pilates, a review of core anatomy, beginning and most intermediate level exercises with modifications, lectures on class order and programming in a fitness setting and guidelines for safely teaching seniors and pre-, and post-natal classes.
Class Fee: $425 Manual Fee: $50 Streaming Video Fee: $10
Mat 2 includes the remaining intermediate and advanced level exercises as well as essential movement principles and training tips for advancing clients to the higher levels. Pilates for sports specific activities are also covered.
Mat 3: February 27 - 28 SATURDAY 2/27 - 10:00am - 6:30pm SUNDAY 2/28 - 10:00am - 6:30pm
Class Fee: $425 Manual Fee: $50 Streaming Video Fee: $10
Enhanced Pilates Mat completes the mat training by adding rings, rollers, bands and balls to the traditional Mat exercises. In addition, Enhanced Mat includes functional exercises for the upper and lower body expanding the Mat work beyond the core to develop whole body strength and flexibility.
Class Fee: $185 Manual Fee: $50 Streaming Video Fee: $10
Pilates Barrels Instructor Training includes exercises and variations for the Step Barrel and Ladder Barrel. The Step Barrel and Ladder Barrel are excellent tools for enhancing spinal mobility and core strength. The Ladder Barrel is most commonly used in a studio setting while the Step Barrel is a great addition to group classes.
Class Fee: $425 Manual Fee: $50 Streaming Video Fee: $10
Pilates Chair Instructor Training includes exercises and variations for the original Wunda chair, the EXO chair and the split pedal Combo Chair. The chair is great for doing strengthening work with athletic clients, and as an addition to group programming in combination with the Mat. This course includes exercises and programming for both personal training sessions and classes.
REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION To become a fully qualified Balanced Body University Pilates Instructor, students must complete the following requirements:
Anatomy (required)
BBU Mat Instructor training or equivalent
BBU Reformer Instructor training or equivalent
BBU Cadillac/Tower – course work, written and practical test (18 hours)
BBU Chair – course work, written and practical test (12 hours)
BBU Barrels – course work, written and practical test (6 hours)
45 personal practice hours and 105 teaching hours OR 35 personal sessions, 20 observations hours, and 95 teaching hours
Practical test
Total hours for completion of Apparatus: 186 hours Total hours for completion of full program: 486 hours
Students who have completed their Mat or Reformer certification through other organizations can take the BBU curriculum and receive a certificate of completion from BBU. Students will need to provide proof of completion of a comparable Mat or Reformer program before being accepted into Balanced Body University.
REFORMER AND OTHER APPARATUS FINAL EXAM & CERTIFICATION Once instructors have completed all of the Reformer and/or Apparatus course work and hours, they must pass a practical exam demonstrating their teaching ability. Exams will be regularly scheduled in different areas around the world. If instructors are not able to test out due to geographical challenges, testing out by video can be arranged. If a student is completing both the Reformer and the Apparatus sequence, they will not need to test out separately on the Reformer and the Apparatus.
The final test-out consists of an observation of a session with a client or an apparatus class. The specific requirements will be determined prior to the testing. During the exam, we will be observing and rating the instructor’s skills in the following areas:
Correct set up and execution of the exercises
Client safety
Appropriate sequencing
Appropriateness of the exercises to the client or class
Understanding and application of the principles
Cueing and the ability to communicate with your client or class
If the instructor does not pass on the first try, we will discuss what they need to focus on in order to pass and set up a timeline for completion.
“Jennie Brooks is a talented, dedicated fitness professional with a strong background in both Pilates and fitness techniques. I have worked with her for many years as an instructor and, more recently, as a master instructor for Balanced Body and have always found her to be an excellent instructor, insightful person, and a true professional in everything she does.” Nora St. John, M.S., PMA-CPT
PERSONAL SESSIONS Students can count any classes or Pilates personal training session they have already taken. Developing and committing to a personal Pilates practice is an essential part of becoming an effective and inspiring teacher. STUDENT TEACHING HOURS Teaching hours include any Pilates teaching either as an employee at a fitness center or Pilates Studio or for family and friends. OBSERVATION HOURS Observation hours include watching experienced instructors teach group classes or private sessions. Observation is a great way to understand verbal and manual cueing, program sequencing, and to hone your teaching skills. THE MODULES
Comprehensive
Anatomy for Pilates
Balanced Body Pilates Mat Certification Program
Balanced Body Pilates Reformer Certification Program
Balanced Body Apparatus Certification Program
TEST OUT Please follow these steps to schedule and complete your Test Out:
